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Master Gardener: What's growing on in our soil

Do you ever wonder what's really growing in your soil beside the things you planted there? You might find it shocking to learn that there are literally billions of microbes hard at work in every square inch of your garden and landscape.

There are 10 billion bacteria in a single gram of soil. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that help break down and recycle decaying organic matter in our soil and convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into organic compounds that can be used by our growing plants. Actinobacteria are critical in decomposing organic matter and turning it into humus. They are responsible for the sweet "earthy" smell we associate with healthy soil.